The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-11
RUSSIA'S BRISTLING GUNS
BISMARCK TAKES ADVANTAGE OF
THE WAR SCARE.

a new Military Service Bill TO be LAID
Before the .Reichstag-The Measure
Will Add 100000 Men to the Effect
i've Force in Case of Mobilization.
Copyright 1887 By the Ne'o York Associated
Press)
BERLIN. Dec. 10.-The preamble of the
new German mill tary services bill was is
sued tonight. 1t abounds in plain speak
ing regarding the armies which Germany
must calculate upon facing on the field of
battle. 1t sets forth that the German army
is composed of men whose liability to serve
in the active army extends over twelve
years, whereas in the Russian army the
period is fifteen years and in the French
twenty. Besides this, it must be considered,
says the preamble, that the geographic posi-
ton of Germany exposes her to at
tacks by powerful armies on two frontiers
simultaneously. In the face of the
threatening danger, there still lacks firm
foundation for the assured resistance and
development of Germany. Her security lies
in her strengh, and this should he greater
than it is at present An end must be put
to the existing uncomfortable condition of
things. The government, therefore, eX-
poets that to secure the passage OF the pres
ent bill it will be sufficient to appeal to the
patriotism of the German people. who de-
sire that the Fatherland, after being united,
shall be preserved in its dignity
EFFECT OF THE BILL.
By the bill before the Reichstag six yearly
classes formerly composing part of the
landstrum are placed in immediate readiness
for dangerous emergency. The increased
cost of administration involved in augment
ing the number of men who have to
answer roll call will not exceed 10000
marks, Bavaria included. The ncn-recur-
ring expenditures incurred in providing
new papers for the men, or in modify
| ing old papers is estimated at
100000 marks, including Bavaria, and for
| the navy to meet the cost of new arms, uni
forms and equipments further measures are
! in contemplation. The whole tone Of this
remarkable manifesto suggests that the re-
| cent outburst of the official press over the
maSsing of Russian troops on the frontier
had something of a Fictitious character.
ITS CHANCES HURT.
Prince Bismarck is known to have greatly
! hurt the chances for the immediate passage
of the Landstrum bill, which the military
press now estimates will add 500, 900 men to
| the effective force in the event of mobiliza-
tion; so the press campaign, recalling SINH
| lar agitation preceding the Septennate
| vote, was melted and will be sustained until
the bill passes Although the governments
motive in fermenting Russian
scare is palpable there are abund-
ant reasons why the country should
| be kept on the alert toward Russia. Re
ports of the concentration of Russian troops
on the frontier at the present time are in
| correct, but the movement as recorded in
| these dispatches three months ago resulted
| in the placing on the Austro- German from
! tier of 1872 infantry battalions, ninety
eight squadrons of cavalry, and sixty-four
batteries of artillery. These movements
were part of a long concocted plan of the
| Russian war Office.
NOT AN IMMEDIATE MENACE.
| While progressing they were not held as
| an immediate menace either to Germany or
| Austria, but were considered to be neces-
STATED by the special difficulties of Russian
mobiizing. This view the German govern
ment is still disposed to admit. At the
| same time the presence of formidable
masses of Russians within striking dis
tance of the frontier will be held by the
| Rechstag as justification for complete
reform of the military. No real fear exists
in either Berlin or Vienna official circles,
that Russia will Venture upon an aggressive
movement. The present alarm, besides
assisting the passage of the military bill,
will restore the Russian war party. The
| Gar still oscillates between the party of
peace and the Pan-Slavists, and the pres
ent agitation will influence him to under
stand the danger he runs in listening to
councillors hostile to Germany and Aus
| tria.
ANOTHER ALARM.
The Cologne Gazette tonight again sounds
| the alarm in telegram from Pesth, stating
| that the Minister of War has ordered the
| local authorities Immediately to forward to
| him lists of the horses available for military
service, and others capable of use in the
event of the army being modified next
year. On the other hand the PeSther
| LIoyd, in pacific article, invites
Russia to state her policy regarding Bull
garia, relying upon the disposition of the
allied powers to meet Russia's views, and to
maintain peace with loyal observance of
treaties. The paper concludes that the
powers are not disposed to be sticklers
| about persons or empty formalities. The
article comedies with the belief held in high
diplomatic quarters that Germany and
Austria will compel Prince Ferdinand to
abdicate if Russia will bring forward a
suitable candidate for the Bulgarian
| throne.